Semiconductor structure and device formed using selective epitaxial process

ABSTRACT

Semiconductor structures, devices, and methods of forming the structures and device are disclosed. Exemplary structures include multi-gate or FinFET structures that can include both n-channel MOS (NMOS) and p-channel MOS (PMOS) devices to form CMOS structures and devices on a substrate. The devices can be formed using selective epitaxy and shallow trench isolation techniques.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/040,196, entitled “SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE AND DEVICE AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME USING SELECTIVE EPITAXIAL PROCESS,” filed Sep. 27, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and devices. More particularly, the disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and devices including one or more layers formed using a selective epitaxial deposition process.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Multi-gate semiconductor devices, including and sometimes generally referred to as FinFET devices, have recently attracted more attention, because the devices offer higher performance per unit of power compared to similar, single gate/planar devices. With traditional metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices, as device geometries continue to shrink in an effort to increase performance of the device, short channel effects, such as off-state leakage current, increase. The leakage, in turn, increase idle power requirements for the device.

FinFET devices include a gate structure that can mitigate leakage current. The reduced leakage current not only reduces power consumption when the device is in an off state, but can also reduce a threshold voltage of the device, which can lead to increased switching speeds and reduced operating power consumption.

FinFET devices may desirably include germanium in the channel region of the device. Inclusion of germanium in a channel region can increase the mobility of charge carriers, which in turn, leads to increased device performance. Unfortunately, inclusion of germanium in the channel region has proven to be challenging to integrate into complimentary MOS (CMOS) devices. Various approaches for forming CMOS FinFET devices include the use of aspect ratio trapping to reduce a number of defects along a shallow trench isolation structure of the device. However, such processes generally require filling a narrow trench (e.g., less than 10 nm in width) with epitaxial material, which is difficult. In addition, buffer recess control in such devices can be less than desirable, resulting in channel height uniformity that is less than desirable. Accordingly, improved structures, devices, and methods of forming the structures and devices, which are relatively easy to fabricate with relatively uniform channel height are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to semiconductor structures and devices and to methods of forming the structures and device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to multi-gate or FinFET structures and devices and to methods of forming the same. While the ways in which various embodiments of the disclosure address the drawbacks of the prior art methods are discussed in more detail below, in general, the disclosure provides FinFET structures and devices that can include both n-channel MOS (NMOS) and p-channel MOS (PMOS) devices to form CMOS structures and devices.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, a method of forming a semiconductor structure includes the steps of providing a substrate comprising silicon, forming a buffer layer comprising Si_(1−x)Ge_(x), where x ranges from 0 to about 0.8 or 0 to about 0.5, overlying the substrate, using a first selective epitaxial process to form a first feature comprising silicon—e.g., Si_(1−z)Ge_(z), where z ranges from 0 to about 0.7 (e.g., for an NMOS device)—overlying the buffer layer on a surface, and using a second selective epitaxial process to form a second feature comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y), where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1 (e.g., for a PMOS device), on the surface. As set forth in more detail below, structures formed in accordance with these embodiments are suitable for forming CMOS FinFET devices and structures on a substrate. In accordance with various aspects of these embodiments, a first feature or region is formed overlying a p well region in the buffer layer and the second feature or region is formed overlying an n well region in the buffer layer. In accordance with further aspects of these embodiments, the first features are formed by depositing a hard mask, patterning the hard mask, etching the hard mask using a suitable etchant to form openings in the hard mask, and forming the feature using selective epitaxial techniques. After the first features are formed, the hard mask is removed using a suitable etchant. The second features may be formed using the same or similar techniques. In accordance with further aspects of these embodiments, the hard mask is formed of silicon oxide or silicon nitride material. In accordance with yet further aspects, a step of forming a hard mask for the second features includes forming a hard mask that overhangs the first feature on at least one side, such that a gap is formed between the first feature and the second feature—e.g., a space may range from about 2 nm-50 nm or about 10 nm is formed between first and second features of a structure that forms part of a device. Exemplary methods may also include forming fins or protrusions using the buffer layer and the first and second features. In these cases, a method additionally includes the steps of etching the first feature and the second feature to form one or more fins comprising silicon and one or more fins comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y), where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1 (e.g., for a PMOS device) or Si_(1−z)Ge_(z), where z ranges from 0 to about 0.7 (e.g., for an NMOS device), depositing insulating material at a temperature of less than about 400° C., and removing a portion of the insulating material. In accordance with various aspects of these embodiments, the insulating material is silicon oxide and the precursors used to deposit the insulating material include H₂Si[N(C₂H₅)₂]₂ and an O₂ plasma.

In accordance with additional embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor structure includes a substrate comprising silicon, a buffer layer comprising Si_(1−x)Ge_(x), where x ranges from 0 to about 0.8 or 0 to about 0.5, overlying the substrate, a p well region formed within the buffer layer, an n well region formed within the buffer layer, one or more fin structures formed using the p well region and a layer comprising silicon (e.g., Si_(1−z)Ge_(z), where z ranges from 0 to about 0.7), one or more fin structures formed using the n well region and a layer comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y), where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1, and an insulating layer formed overlying a portion of the buffer layer. The structures described herein can be formed using the methods described above. For example, one or more of the insulating layers may be formed at a temperature of less than about 400° C., such as for example, using H₂Si[N(C₂H₅)₂]₂ and an O₂ plasma.

In accordance with additional embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor structure includes a substrate comprising silicon, a buffer layer comprising Si_(1−x)Ge_(x), where x ranges from 0 to about 0.8 or 0 to about 0.5, overlying the substrate, a first feature comprising silicon (e.g., Si_(1−z)Ge_(z), where z ranges from 0 to about 0.7) overlying the buffer layer, a second feature comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y), where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1 overlying the buffer layer and on the same surface as the first feature. In accordance with exemplary aspects of these embodiments, a length of—e.g. about 2-50 or about 10 or less than 50 nm separates the first feature and the second feature. These structures may be formed using methods described herein.

In accordance with yet additional exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, a CMOS device includes a substrate comprising silicon, a buffer layer comprising Si_(1−x)Ge_(x), where x ranges from 0 to about 0.8 or 0 to about 0.5, overlying the substrate, a p well region formed within the buffer layer, an n well region formed within the buffer layer, one or more fin structures formed using the p well region and a layer comprising silicon (e.g., Si_(1−z)Ge_(z), where z ranges from 0 to about 0.7), one or more fin structures formed using the n well region and a layer comprising Si1−yGey, where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1, and an insulating layer formed overlying a portion of the buffer layer.

Exemplary methods to form a CMOS device include a method of forming a semiconductor structure as described herein. Methods to form CMOS device may suitably include additional deposition, etch, and other processes typically used to form such devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A more complete understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a substrate in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a structure including a buffer layer overlying a substrate in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a structure including a p well region and an n well region formed within a buffer layer in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a structure including a patterned hard mask overlying a buffer layer in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure including a first feature formed within an opening of a hard mask and on a surface of a buffer layer according to yet additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a structure having a first feature on a surface of a buffer layer with the hard mask used to form the first feature removed according to additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a structure including a hard mask overlying and overhanging a first feature in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a structure including a second feature formed within an opening of a hard mask and on a surface of a buffer layer according to yet additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a structure including a first feature and a second feature overlying a buffer layer in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a structure including fins formed by etching portions of the first feature, the second feature, and the buffer layer in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a structure including insulating material deposited onto portions of the buffer layer and adjacent fins in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a structure including fins in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a CMOS device having a structure including fins in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

It will be appreciated that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

The description of exemplary embodiments of methods, structures, and devices provided below is merely exemplary and is intended for purposes of illustration only; the following description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims. Moreover, recitation of multiple embodiments having stated features is not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features or other embodiments incorporating different combinations of the stated features.

The present disclosure relates, generally, to semiconductor devices and structures and to methods of forming the devices as structures. As set forth in more detail below, the structure may be used to form devices including multiple gates, such as FinFET devices, having germanium in the channel region.

FIG. 12 illustrates a structure 1200 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and FIGS. 1-11 illustrate structures formed during the fabrication of structure 1200. Structure 1200 is suitable for forming a CMOS device as discussed in more detail below. Structure 1200 includes an NMOS region 1202, including NMOS fins 1204, and a PMOS region 1206, including PMOS fins 1208. Structure 1200 is advantageous over other CMOS structures, because structure 1200 includes both NMOS regions 1202 and PMOS regions 1206, each including fins for a multiple gate device, wherein structure 1200 also includes a high-mobility channel including germanium.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a method of forming structure, such as structure 1200, includes a step of providing a substrate 100. As used herein, a “substrate” refers to any material having a surface onto which material can be deposited. A substrate may include a bulk material such as silicon (e.g., single crystal silicon) or may include one or more layers overlying the bulk material. Further, the substrate may include various topologies, such as trenches, vias, lines, and the like formed within or on at least a portion of a layer of the substrate. By way of example, substrate 100 includes a silicon wafer doped with about 1e19/cm³ boron atoms.

FIG. 2 illustrates a structure 200, including substrate 100 and a strain relaxed Si_(1−x)Ge_(x), where x ranges from 0 to about 0.8 or 0 to about 0.5, layer 202 overlying substrate 100. In the illustrated example, layer 202 is adjacent substrate 100; however, other structures in accordance with the present disclosure may include one or more layers interposed between substrate 100 and layer 202. A thickness of layer 202 may range from about 100 nm to about 5 μm, about 300 nm to about 2 μm, or be about 2 μm. Buffer layer 202 may be doped with a suitable dopant, such as about 5e15/cm³ boron atoms.

Layer 202 may be formed by epitaxially growing the strain relaxed Si_(1−x)Ge_(x) overlying substrate 100. By way of example, layer 202 may be formed using dichlorosilane (SiH₂Cl₂), germane (GeH₄), and hydrogen (H₂) as precursors or reactants at a temperature of about 700° C. or higher at a pressure of about 10 Torr. Another exemplary method of forming layer 202 includes using silane (SiH₄), germane, and hydrogen as reactants at a temperature of about 600° C. or higher at a pressure of about 10 Torr. A suitable reactor for use in forming layer 202 is available from ASM under the name Intrepid™ XP or Epsilon®.

FIG. 3 illustrates a structure 300, which includes a p well region 302 and an n well region 304 formed within layer 202. P well region 302 and n well region 304 may be formed using any suitable technique, such as using patterning and masking techniques and boron ion implantation to form p well region 302 (e.g., about 5e17/cm³ boron) and similarly using patterning and masking techniques and arsenic or phosphorus ion implantation (e.g., about 5e17/cm³ arsenic or phosphorous) for n well region formation. Both p well and n well formation process may include an anneal process as typically used to form such regions.

Turning now to FIG. 4, after p well region 302 and n well region 304 are formed, a structure 400 is formed by depositing, patterning, and etching a hard mask material, such as silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), e.g., silicon dioxide (SiO₂), to form hard mask layer 402. The hard mask material may be deposited using, for example, plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition—e.g., using SAM.24 (H₂Si[N(C₂H₅)₂]₂) and oxygen (O₂) plasma deposited at about 400° C. or 300° C. or less. Such process may be carried out using, for example, an ASM reactor sold under the name Eagle® XP. Alternatively, the hard mask material used to form layer 402 may be deposited by chemical vapor deposition using silane or tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). A thickness of layer 402 may range from about 10 nm to about 100 nm.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a structure 500 is formed by selectively depositing epitaxial material, such as epitaxial silicon overlying buffer layer 202 to form layer 502. Layer 502 may be selectively deposited over layer 202 (e.g., over region 302) using dichlorosilane, hydrogen chloride (HCl), and hydrogen as reactants at a reaction temperature of about 700° C. to 1000° C. and a reactor pressure of about 10 Torr. Another exemplary process for growing layer 502 includes using a trisilane (Si₃H₈) based cyclic deposit-etch process at about 400-600° C. Either process can be performed using, for example, a reactor available from ASM under the name Intrepid™ XP or Epsilon®. A germanium precursor may also be used during this step when layer 502 includes germanium. A thickness of layer 502 can vary from about 10 nm to about 50 nm. For example, a thickness of layer 502 can be about 30 nm.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6, hard mask layer 402 is removed to form a structure 600. By way of example, layer 402 can be selectively removed using a diluted hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. A structure 700 is formed by depositing a layer of hard mask material, such as silicon oxide, overlying layer 502, masking, and patterning the hard mask material to form layer 702. In the illustrated example, layer 702 overhangs layer 502 in region 704. Overhang 706 allows separation of epitaxial material deposited over region 304, as discussed in more detail below. Layer 702 may be deposited using the same or similar techniques used to deposit layer 404. For example, the hard mask material may be deposited using plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition—e.g., using SAM.24 (H₂Si[N(C₂H₅)₂]₂) and oxygen (O₂) plasma deposited at about 400° C. or 300° C. or less. Such process may be carried out using, for example, an ASM reactor sold under the name Eagle® XP. Alternatively, the hard mask material used to form layer 402 may be deposited by chemical vapor deposition using silane or tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). A thickness of layer 702 may range from about 2 nm to about 50 nm.

An epitaxial layer 802 of Si_(1−y)Ge_(y), where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1, is then formed over region 304 to form a structure 800, illustrated in FIG. 8. By way of examples, layer 802 may be formed using an epitaxial process using germane in a nitrogen (N₂) carrier gas at a temperature of about 350° C. to about 550° C. and a pressure of about 10 Torr using, for example, an ASM Intrepid™ XP or Epsilon® reactor. The thickness of layer 802 is generally about the same as the thickness of layer 502 and can range from about 10 nm to about 50 nm; for example the thickness may be about 30 nm. To reduce oxygen that might otherwise be present on a surface, before deposition of layer 802, structure 700 can be exposed to an in-situ hydrofluoric acid clean process.

A structure 900, illustrated in FIG. 9, is formed by selectively removing hard mask layer 702. By way of example, when layer 702 includes silicon oxide, layer 702 can be removed using a diluted hydrofluoric acid etch process. As noted above, when layer 702 includes an overhang region, a space 902 between layer 502 and 802 can form. This allows suitable isolation between NMOS and PMOS devices formed using structure 900.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a structure 1000, including fins 1002 including material from p well region and layer 502, and PMOS fins 1004, including material from n well region 304 and layer 802 are formed. Fins 1002 and 1004 may be formed using, for example, a hydrogen bromide (HBr)/chlorine (Cl₂)/oxygen/difluormethane (CH₂F₂) etch process.

After fins 1002 and 1004 are formed, a structure 1100, illustrated in FIG. 11, is formed—e.g., using shallow trench isolation (STI) techniques by depositing insulating material overlying structure 1000 to form layer 1102. By way of example, structure 1100 may be formed by depositing silicon oxide using a low temperature (e.g., about 400° C. or about 300° C. or less) atomic layer deposition process onto structure 1000. Exemplary reactants for this process include SAM.24 and an oxygen plasma. The process to form layer 1102 may be performed in an ASM Eagle® XP reactor.

Structure 1200 is formed by removing a portion of layer 1102 to form layer 1210 and fins 1204 and 1208. An exemplary process to remove a portion of layer 1102 may include a reactive ion etch process, wherein a thickness of the buffer layer within the one or more fin structures formed using the p well region and a layer comprising silicon and the one or more fin structures formed using the n well region and a layer comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y) is about 20 nm to about 200 nm.

FIG. 13 illustrates a CMOS device 1300, including a structure, such as structure 1200. Device 1300 includes NMOS region 1302 and PMOS region 1304. As illustrated, NMOS region includes fins 1306 and PMOS region includes fins 1308, which may be formed of and using the materials and processes described above in connection with FIGS. 1-12. Structure 1300 additionally includes a dielectric layer 1310 and a gate metal layer 1312, 1314 respectively formed over PMOS fins and NMOS fins. Layers 1312 and 1314 may be the same or different gate metals. Similarly, although illustrated as a single gate dielectric layer, layer 1310 may be formed of a first material for the PMOS device and a second material for the NMOS device. Exemplary dielectric materials for layer 1310 include HfO₂. Exemplary Gate metals include TiN, which may be deposited using TiCl₄ and NH₃. A contact metal layer 1316 may then be formed overlying the gate metal for the NMOS and PMOS devices. Exemplary contact metals include tungsten, deposited, for example, using WF₆ and Si₂H₆. Structure 1300 may also include additional stressor features, such as features 1318 to increase carrier mobility, particularly in PMOS devices, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense. The specific routines or methods described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. Thus, the various acts illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, performed in other sequences, performed simultaneously, or omitted in some cases.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes, structures and devices, and other features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor structure comprising: a substrate comprising silicon; a strain relaxed buffer layer comprising Si_(1−x)Ge_(x), where x is greater than 0 to about 0.5, overlying and in contact with the substrate; a p well region formed within the buffer layer; an n well region formed within the buffer layer; one or more fin structures comprising a portion of the p well region and a layer consisting of silicon, the layer consisting of silicon being disposed directly over the p well region; one or more fin structures comprising a portion of the n well region and a layer comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y), the layer comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y) being disposed directly over the n well region, where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1; and an insulating layer formed directly overlying a portion of the p well region and the n well region.
 2. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein the insulating layer is formed at a temperature of less than about 400° C.
 3. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein the insulating layer is formed using H₂Si[N(C₂H₅)₂]₂ and an O₂ plasma.
 4. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the buffer layer within the one or more fin structures formed using the p well region and a layer consisting of silicon and the one or more fin structures formed using the n well region and a layer comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y) is about 20 nm to about 200 nm.
 5. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein the buffer layer is formed using dichlorosilane (SiH₂Cl₂), germane (GeH₄), and hydrogen (H₂).
 6. A CMOS device comprising: a substrate comprising silicon; a strain relaxed buffer layer comprising Si_(1−x)Ge_(x), where x is greater than 0 to about 0.5, overlying and in contact with the substrate; a p well region formed within the buffer layer; an n well region formed within the buffer layer; one or more fin structures comprising a portion of the p well region and a layer consisting of silicon, the layer consisting of silicon being disposed directly over the p well region; one or more fin structures comprising a portion of the n well region and a layer comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y), the layer comprising Si_(1−y)Ge_(y) being disposed directly over the n well region, where y ranges from about 0.1 to 1; and an insulating layer formed directly overlying a portion of the p well region and the n well region.
 7. The CMOS device of claim 6, wherein the insulating layer comprises silicon oxide.
 8. The CMOS device of claim 6, wherein the insulating layer is formed at a temperature of less than about 400° C.
 9. The CMOS device of claim 6, wherein the insulating layer is formed using H₂Si[N(C₂H₅)₂]₂ and an O₂ plasma. 